Taxing Sodas, Fitness Discounts and Conflicted Pharmacists

By RONI CARYN RABIN
The New York Times
Published: Jan 01, 2009

Taxes for Sweetened Drinks

New York State Health Commissioner Richard Daines is making the case for taxing sweetened beverages on YouTube, The Wall Street Journal reports. In the video, he notes that one-third of children in the state are overweight, and each New Yorker drinks the equivalent of 11 cans of soda a week. New York Gov. David Paterson has proposed an 18 percent tax on sweetened drinks.

Smoking Barred Near Federal Buildings

Government workers in federal buildings will have to walk more than 25 feet away from doorways to smoke and will be barred from smoking in courtyards or near air ducts, according to a new rule that will go into effect within six months, The Washington Post reports. Current rules allow smoking in designated rooms or outdoor areas.

Steep Discounts at Health Clubs

Health clubs are offering good deals for new members, The Associated Press reports. With consumers cutting spending, the clubs -- which sign up a majority of their members in January, capitalizing on New Year’s pledges -- are discounting initiation fees and offering other incentives to join.

Pharmacists on State Regulatory Boards May Have Conflicts

Top officials from chain drugstores serve on state pharmacy boards and can have a lot of say in decisions affecting the industry, USA Today reports. Although pharmacists on boards usually abstain from voting on issues if they have a direct conflict of interest, they sometimes do not. In one case, two Walgreens pharmacists on Florida’s board opposed the maximum fine for another Walgreens pharmacist who failed to catch a prescription error that led to a death.

Nicotine Gum Goes Generic

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic version of Nicorette mint gum made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, Reuters reports. The gum is sold without a prescription.

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